Comments on: Auckland Airport Rail Link Now Many Decades Away

By: Jezza

Jezza — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:30:30 +0000

I don’t think the politicans realise how popular this is with the public, a lot of votes in at least making noises about it…

By: Jon C

Jon C — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:06:09 +0000

The good news is it seems the council may not rubber stamp the draft plan and allow more time for thinking about what should be done.

By: James

James — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:27:20 +0000

Yeah true, thanks Sam. Thats probably more the point.

By: Sam F

Sam F — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:08:37 +0000

“James, I think playing the race card is a bit over the top don’t you?”

Probably more to do with (generally) lower affluence, and thus a comparative lack of influence upon the powers that be. I’m 100% sure there are committed public transport advocates working in South Auckland, but it’s just harder to win funding for improvements down there somehow.

By: Jezza

Jezza — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:36:04 +0000

That’s true Labour were poor on PT and rail until the end of their term, next time the Greens will figure more in their government and their younger MPs who will probably be in Cabinet next time around get PT better I think…

@ Sam it funny you mentioned that, I was thinking the Airport link will be brought in time for me to catch it to my retirement holiday flight…

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:40:56 +0000

James, I work in the airport area too, and while you are correct that most staff have parks, the airport was very much involved with the introduction of new bus services (380 from Manukau, and increased Airbus from CBD), and has a car-pooling programme called Lift that has won awards. My understanding is that they are very keen to improve public and private transport links to the airport, and would actually quite like to have more planning certainty from transport agencies around future public transport options (bus and rail) to the airport.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:29:17 +0000

James, I think playing the race card is a bit over the top don’t you? But if true this is nonsense. Time will only tell.

By: Jon C

Jon C — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:17:55 +0000

Wonderful idea Johans but will ACC and health and safety allow it? LOL

By: Johans

Johans — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:48:37 +0000

We could have the tourists parachute off the planes right into the centre of the CBD.

By: James

James — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:31:01 +0000

Mangere is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing suburbs, the housing is already dense. Much of it is zoned for further subdivision. Not to mention the large areas of green-field development already marked out around between the airport and the harbour.

Distribution and warehousing is one of Auckland’s big industries employing large numbers of people. Much of that industry is centred around the airport.

The council and government are failing the people of Mangere miserably by not providing them necessary infrastructure to move around the city rapidly. One can’t help but think that race is a factor in this neglect. Affluent suburbs on the North shore have a gleaming new busway. Double tracking goes east and west.

I work at the airport and the majority of airport staff have parking provided, so there’s no incentive to use PT alternatives. Though 10-15 min queues on SH20 onramps are not much fun. If there was a convenient and fast rail service to the airport staff and passengers would surely use it in droves. It strikes me that AIAL has its interest more in charging for carparking than smoothing the way for its passengers.

By: Jon C

Jon C — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:15:47 +0000

Very funny Sam. Theres some report coming out soon that says half of Auck and Wellington will disappear in a few decades because of rising waters so maybe you’re right it wont matter by then.Jezza, Herald columnist Brian Rudman today blamed labour for not getting us electrification and integrated ticketing as they should have when they had the chance.

By: Sam F

Sam F — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:56:14 +0000

@Nathaniel:

“This seems so shortsighted and backwards as to border on insanity. So business as usual then.”

Fixed that for you

I like to think of these as Super Gold Card projects – at least I’ll be able to ride them free as a senior (assuming there’s anyone left alive in NZ by then).

By: Jezza

Jezza — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:59:47 +0000

Sigh, I think the next time we have a Labour led government if the Greens are around the cabinet table these types of rail projects will shoot up the priority list…

By: Cambennett

Cambennett — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:57:59 +0000

For gods sake, what is wrong with this country? Are we governed by ignorant yokels? It would seem so. This is too pathetic to put into words.

By: William M

William M — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:21:04 +0000

Great. So even I, of 22 years young may die before Aucklanders and tourists take the train to the Airport. Oh, alright, I’m being dramatic. Looks like the CBT is going to have a bee in their bonnet now!

By: Nathaniel Flick

Nathaniel Flick — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:07:23 +0000

This seems so shortsighted and backwards as to border on insanity. Thanks for the update!